The Pig Wheel

The Pig Wheel™ or Pig Wheel™ is a paddlewheel style game designed in 1998 for use within the regulated wagering markets of North Dakota. This site is about the game and meant to be a place where Pig Wheel operators and players can communicate. Please leave your Pig Wheel stories... but keep 'em civil.

This electronic table uses a multi-touch sensitive playing surface (green) and virtual chips and is played in consort with an electronic wheel. Both are to be connected to our server which stores records of play and activity on the table as well as conducting spins. The playing surface includes six player stations. The chip bank of each player is composed entirely of chips in the denomination value the player selected. The numbers on the chips are not indicators of value but of quantity. One player's chips could be worth $1 each while another's could be 10¢. The computer recognizes the difference and the payouts are in multiples of the respective value.

The table continues to utilize an operator whose job is issuance of chips (currency plunged into the double locking drop box) redemption of chips (printed receipt - to be redeemed at cashier station) and calling for the spins when the table is ready.

Calculations on payouts and even how many chips worth, for instance 50¢ are to be issued for $20 are performed by the computer. With the operator relieved of needing to perform quick calculations, accuracy is improved while time is saved allowing operators to refocus on player service.

The operator provides instruction in how to play and generally is charged with keeping an upbeat, fun attitude. We hope to deploy the game sometime in early to mid 2016.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Electronic simulated wheels are already legal in Minnesota. What we are seeking in Minnesota is an efficient and secure ticket system that could actually work. With this system, we are still using a paper ticket; however, the player can use paper or a mobile app to plan their play - select their wagers. Either way, their selections, amounts and quantity of spins needs to be scanned into the system and an official ticket is printed. In Minnesota, we are also seeking the ability to use symbols instead of being required to always use numbers on the wheel. If we can use symbols and numbers, our successful North Dakota wheel, Pig Wheel™, would come to Minnesota. That is, if we can get ticket modifications.

In North Dakota we are seeking the use of electronic simulated wheels using the system above that would allow the game to be conducted without a dedicated table. Thus, it could be operated at far lower cost in bars and taverns with lower traffic - rural areas. This system defeats the human and environmental spinning bias that can sometimes, currently, effect the outcome.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

NOTE ON MINNESOTA: At the 2011 annual Allied Charities of Minnesota Expo and general membership gathering Gaming Studio acquired a double size booth to display the potential for electronic simulated wheels using an on-demand ticket printing system that would electronically record all wagers and payouts at any site at any time in the state. The process would be more secure, less expensive, greater accountability and regulatory oversight along with opening the game to more rural or lower traffic sites. The Minnesota legislature did authorize “simulated” paddle wheels in 2012; however, such electronic simulated wheels must still use the very expensive ticket and table process. At the 2012 Allied Charities of Minnesota annual membership gathering, the membership voted to make the changes in ticketing process one of their legislative priorities.

We were gratified that the general membership of Allied Charities of Minnesota (ACM) voted in November of 2012 to make it a legislative priority to change the ticketing definitions allowing for the "Parlor-style" Tri-Wheel.

Friday, March 14, 2014

If H.F.2725 and S.F. 2612 introduced this month in Minnesota become law, you could see electronic Pig Wheels™ in Minnesota a few months after. You can see more on the wheel game at: Parlor Pig Wheel™ What we need is a modification of the definition of paddle wheel to allow for a wheel with symbols. Then, we need to be able to use one ticket for several wager selections rather than one ticket for each player selection. In doing this, the paper is reduced by as much as 95% and the cost of paper handling is radically reduced. Electronic wheels are already authorized, we just need to bring the cost effective efficiencies.

Imagine the above as an image on a 70"+ flat panel display somewhere in your favorite bar. Your are able to mark up your choices of numbers, pigs, or odd/even on a slip of paper. Then you determine how much you wish to bet per spin which determines the value of each selection you have made. You determine how many spins you wish the selection to apply (up to 10 consecutive spins) and provide the money and slip, we call "Player Selection Form" to someone authorized to scan your choices in to produce an official recorded ticket. Every four minutes or so, the wheel goes into a simulated spin. You may scan your ticket to see if you have won -- if you aren't sure. Now, we actually have some really cool features as displays of outcome and you get to see them --- if S.F. 2612 and H.F. 2725 pass in Minnesota. This game is secure, efficient and easily regulated and audited. It will be the easiest game among those operated by charities.

The legislation does not effect the existing Tri-Wheel® operation. And, yes, we could put the Tri-Wheel on this system; however, we believe you will agree that the Pig Wheel™ is going to be easier to play and, once you know the whole story, more fun.

The Pig Wheel™ is currently very popular as a table game in North Dakota. We will seek to achieve legislative approval in North Dakota for this version in the next ND session - 2015. More on that later.

Minnesota charities, please help get the legislative authorization for this style of handling tickets and using symbols in addition to numbers on a wheel. Big game - minor changes.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Does anyone know where this photo was taken and by whom? Please write in comment area if you do. Thanks ------- Joe Ok, we discovered it to be Sports on Tap in Minot, ND 220 South Broadway (see list below).

About Me

I am Joe Richardson, the designer of the Minnesota Tri-Wheel® and Pig Wheel™ among several other games and gaming systems for regulated wagering markets. I started in "gaming" in 1982. I call it “gaming” as opposed to "gambling" because there is a difference in those terms. “Gaming” is for fun, while “gambling” is for profit. While both gaming and gambling involve uncertain outcomes, don’t confuse gambling for gaming. Game for fun, gamble for profit. Our wheels are for gaming, not gambling.